Top La Jolla On the Water

Enjoy sublime coastal scenery as you spot marine life during this kayaking trip to La Jolla’s sea caves and ecological reserve. Paddle alongside your expert naturalist guide as you observe the numerous species of birds, dolphins, sea lions, and even orcas of the area. Kayak among the lush kelp beds that grow in the reserve and, if conditions permit, explore inside the sea caves that dot the rocky coastline.

Discover the stunning La Jolla coastline with our kayak rentals, perfect for adventurers of all ages. Enjoy the freedom to explore at your leisure while observing vibrant marine life and beautiful underwater landscapes. Rentals come with essential gear and safety training, ensuring a smooth experience. - 90 minute - All kayak rentals include necessary equipment and safety gear - Convenient beach pickup and drop-off for all rentals Exclusions: - Locker rentals - Wetsuit Rentals

Join our seasoned guides with a passion for the ocean for a snorkeling session to see the world underneath the waves. We offer high-quality dive gear and wetsuits to keep you comfortable in the cool ocean temperatures. Leopard sharks, sea turtles, Garibaldi, and sea lions are just some of the sea life you might witness. We’ll tour the famous La Jolla shoreline and make our way to the famous Emerald Cave. (Participants must know how to swim.)

Go with the La Jolla water sports company consistently voted #1 in the area. We are a proud local company that is continually upgrading our equipment and involved in our community helping at-risk youth experience the water. We are also a member of 1% for the Planet, providing 1% of our profits for beach clean-up. Rent from us and you'll enjoy 90 minutes of kayaking for two in the beautiful La Jolla Ecological Reserve.

Why Book This Tour: Snorkel in one of the world’s most biodiverse marine reserves with expert guides who know these waters well. Swim alongside curious sea lions, snorkel into one or two ancient sea caves, and spot flashes of color from Garibaldi and other hidden sea life. With small group sizes, high-quality gear, and access to La Jolla’s dramatic underwater cliffs, this is a San Diego experience that feels both wild and personal. Designed for good swimmers. Many guests are first-time ocean snorkelers, but participants must be comfortable swimming in deep water without a life jacket.

San Diego’s La Jolla Ecological Reserve is one of the best spots on the West Coast to kayak and snorkel. On this two-activity tour—all gear provided—you and your crew will take turns between floating above water and snorkeling in it, hanging out with garibaldi, leopard sharks, rays, sea lions, and tons of other fascinating marine life.

The seven beautiful sea caves along La Jolla Ecological Reserve can be difficult to explore, even for experienced kayakers. This small-group kayaking tour offers a guide to help small groups glide through the water and take the best routes to the caves. Paddle to all seven caves while keeping an eye out for sea lions, leopard sharks, and the occasional dolphin.

Learn the ins and outs of catching the perfect wave during a 2-hour surf lesson in La Jolla. Thanks to its holistic approach, the class is a great opportunity for everyone ranging from first-timers to advanced surfers. Advance your knowledge of surfing etiquette, techniques, safety, and more. Your instructor also teaches you how you can help ocean conservation to keep the waters safe for surfers and sea life alike.

An easy beach break with regular, predictable waves that don’t get too big, La Jolla Shores is one of California’s best destinations for learning to surf. Join an experienced instructor and no more than four other learners on a class that’s good for absolute beginners and intermediates alike. Your class includes your board and an Everyday California rash guard top, with full wetsuits available at an additional charge.

Enjoy a seamless day on the water with this snorkel equipment packages that provides sanitized, quality, and specially engineered equipment for snorkeling in the marine protected waters near the La Jolla Cove. Guests can use VR video to navigate to the best coves and caves and have access to complimentary lockers for an easy, carefree experience in the water.

Guests get to kayak out into the La Jolla Ecological Reserve with trained professional guides to take them to various snorkel sports in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve (spot depends on safety and may change depending on the day.) Once the group arrivals at chosen snorkel spot, the guides will till all of the kayaks together with rope and drop a sea anchor, so the kayaks are stationary, and the guests get to hop out and snorkel in the majestic waters of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. After the snorkeling portion, guests kayak back to the launching point. Entire duration last two hours. No snorkel experience necessary but preferred. Must be a comfortable swimmer in the ocean to participate.

Skip the crowded tour boats. Liberty carries just six guests and that changes everything. Sail San Diego Bay aboard a classic 41-ft Friendship sloop with Captain Phil, a USCG-licensed captain with 55 years of sailing experience. Whether you choose an afternoon sail or stay for sunset, the experience is calm, unhurried, and genuinely personal — less like a tour, more like being invited onto a private yacht. Take in the San Diego skyline, Coronado Bridge, and USS Midway from the water — no narration script, no rushing, just the bay at its best. Afternoon sail — open skies, warm sun, and the city in full view. Sunset sail — watch the sky change over the water as the city lights come on. Ideal for couples and travelers who want an authentic, uncrowded San Diego sailing experience. All sails are 2.5 hours. Included: craft beer, California white wine, soft drinks, and packaged snacks. Paid marina parking available. Gratuity for the captain is appreciated and not included.

Explore La Jolla Ecological Reserve's sea caves during a 90-minute kayaking tour. Follow your experienced guide through several diverse ecological habitats, home to one of the highest concentrations of sea life in California. Paddle toward the Seven Sea Caves, where you can get stunning views from inside Emerald Cave, the only north-facing cave in the state (conditions permitting). Explore a giant kelp forest inhabited by wildlife like harbor seals and sea lions. Use of all kayaking equipment is included; no kayaking experience is necessary.

Kayak La Jolla and the 7 Caves!  This 90 minute guided tour in La Jolla is a favorite of both locals and San Diego visitors. Explore beautiful sea cliffs and caves as you glide through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve filled with marine life. Paddle to Sunny Jim’s Cave, the Arch Cave, the Clams’ Cave and other sea caves for amazing close-ups of sandstone formations. Witness sea lions, garibaldi, leopard sharks, shovelnose guitarfish (rock on, man) and even the occasional dolphin on this sought-after La Jolla kayak tour. Ages 5 and up.

SDBK is the top ranked kayak operator by the City of San Diego for kayak operations. This ranking is based on meaningful criteria including the extensiveness and quality of our training programs, our proprietary guide certification process and stringent guidelines, our operating procedures, the quality and content of our opperations, our Water Safety Plan and Emergency Response Plan. Additionally, we are the closest operator to the beach in La Jolla and we also have the most available tours as the top ranked largest operator. Cave entry is not permitted on a rental; however, you can book one of our guided tours. If conditions do permit entry into the largest sea cave we access on our guided tours. Our priority is guest safety and we are unable to enter the Clam's Cave is ocean conditions do not permit.

A rare sunset sailing adventure aboard our 35-foot sailboat, Luna: small group limited to six people, local captain sharing stories, hands-on sailing, and unforgettable vistas of San Diego. Watch for playful sea lions, dolphins, and pelicans. Participate or sit back and enjoy breathtaking sunset views of the city's skyline and waterfront attractions as we sail among tall ships, mega-yachts, and military vessels. We invite you to celebrate a special occasion with your partner, family or group and capture the moments in breathtaking photos. No sailing experience is needed for this family-friendly outing, but participation is welcome. We love sharing our knowledge and experience. Choose a public or private tour option when you book. Snacks and bottled water included. Feel free to bring your own easy to handle alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Free cancellation, 100% refund up to 24 hours before your reservation.

Relax in the sun aboard a catamaran in San Diego Bay on this small group sailing excursion. Your captain will welcome you aboard with beer, wine, and soft drinks. You can relax, sunbathe, look at the sea life, and help sail if you like. You’ll also be keeping costs down with this small group tour.

Join a professional marine biologist for a hands-on exploration of San Diego’s tide pools. Get up close with sea stars, anemones, crabs, hermit crabs, snails, and sometimes even octopuses while learning fascinating facts about the intertidal ecosystem. This small-group, guided tour is perfect for families, solo travelers, and ocean lovers who want an interactive, educational experience.

This leisurely paddle showcases the city's renowned architecture, little known city history, and maritime culture. Embark on your urban retreat by launching off of the calm waters of The Coronado Ferry Landing to explore America's Finest City and the Crown City by kayak. This 1.5-hour, guided, small-group tour has a maximum size of 10 guests.

A unique two-hour sailing Experience aboard our 35-foot sailboat, Luna. Limited to six people. Watch for playful dolphins, sea lions, and pelicans. Get hands-on or sit back and enjoy breathtaking views of the city's skyline and waterfront attractions as we sail among tall ships, mega-yachts, and military vessels and your local Captain shares his knowledge of sailing and San Diego. We invite you to celebrate a special occasion with your partner, family or group and capture the moments in breathtaking photos. No sailing experience is needed for this family-friendly outing, but participation is welcome. We love sharing our knowledge and experience. Choose a public or private tour option when you book. Snacks and bottled water included. Feel free to bring your own easy to handle alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Free cancellation, 100% refund up to 24 hours before your reservation.

Avoid crowds and traffic in San Diego and have a peaceful adventure on the water with this small-group sailing tour. Keeping the group size small ensures a more personalized experience, without the noise and crowds of large group sightseeing boats. Along the way, pass by lots of great photo opportunities—including the Star of India, Coronado Bridge, and views of the city’s skyline.

Are you a traveler who loves to surf but don't need a lesson? Maybe you are looking for something richer. You want to be immersed in Southern California surf culture while enjoying the fun surf amongst new friends. You can live out this surf dream in sunny San Diego without the research of where to surf and the annoyance of transporting boards and wetsuits to the places that tickle your fancy! This unique experience will take you to breathtaking San Diego breaks based on your skill level and preferences. In this 3 hour experience your surf guru Lanz will guide you through an activity and surf etiquette, teach a meditation on the beach, surf rad waves with you for about 2 hours, and feed you yummy snacks to wind down. *Please be advised that this is not a surf lesson and while beginners are absolutely encouraged, previous surf experienced is required (1 previous lesson minimum)*

Guided tours are relatively expensive and can follow rigid itineraries with tight schedules. This self-guided audio tour of La Jolla, a coastal town known for its rugged coastline and posh shopping, helps travelers save money and explore completely at their own pace. Follow your downloaded map app past art galleries, historic churches and hotels, and parks, finishing at the Sunny Jim Sea Cave. Start, stop, and pause the tour whenever you’d like.